Macedonia, Sentinel Sites Visits & other activities

Within the framework of the Project “Surveillance and Response to Avian and pandemic Influenza by National Health Authorities of Countries of South East Europe”, following activities were implemented during period March – July 2015.

a) Meeting with sentinel ILI sites

Coordination team from Institute of Public Health (IPH) organized in Skopje one day workshop on 12.03.2015, with representatives from three ILI sentinel sites. Weekly report requirements and seasonal situation with influenza were described and discussed. During the meeting issues regarding sampling procedures were clarified as well as the revised schedule for transport of samples was presented to participants. Laptops procured through the project were delivered to representatives from sentinel sites.

b) Sentinel site visits

After the first meeting, different health care institutions involved in the sentinel surveillance in R. Macedonia were visited.

As a conclusion of the first sentinel surveillance year, there is a need to increase the number of ILI sentinel sites, by selection in other cities in Macedonia and more municipalities in the capital city Skopje.

With the increased number of sentinel sites the aim is to achieve close to 2% population coverage for the next season. With the increased coverage and increased number of samples, the sentinel surveillance system will provide reliable weekly data with enough “robustness” for valid epidemiological and virological conclusions.

c) Assessment of national virology lab

Assessment of the capabilities and capacities of national influenza laboratory on influenza diagnostics was conducted in May 11th-14th, by a consultant from Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL)/CDC using CDC’s International Influenza Laboratory Capacity Review Tool.

d) Received equipment to establish culture cell detection

On the month of June inverted microscope and CO2 incubator are received.

g) Received spill kits

On the month of June donation from Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) of two spill kits is received.